Hewas right. He shouldn't have. But that didn’t take back the fact that he alreadyhad, and now, every one of his words exploded one by one in my mind likestrategically placed landmines. And he saw it, too. Maybe in the way my eyeswidened, or the way my fingers clenched tightly around my fork. I couldn’t sayfor sure. But whatever it was, Goose knew he had gotten to me, because he rakedhis fingers through his hair and groaned once again.
“ForgetI said anything. Like I said, it's none of my business.”
“No,”I replied. “It's okay. I mean, you're not entirely wrong.”
“Yeah,except I'm not really someone who should be handing out relationship advice,”he laughed, busying himself behind the bar. “I haven't even seen Tracey yetthis week.”
“No?”
Hepinched hislipsand his spine went rigid. “Nope.She's been too busy with the show, I guess.”
Proppingmy chin in my palm, I watched him fiddle with things here and there with noobvious direction or purpose. He was clearly agitated by the wedge hisgirlfriend's job had driven between the two of them, and I couldn't blame him.It wasn't entirely unlike my own relationship with Brendan, although I couldn'tpinpoint a particular reason for his and my divide. But it still bothered me,and I was unnerved to know that my friend was also going through a hard time.It didn’t seem right.
Andthen, an idea came to me.
“Hey.”
Helooked up at me from his busywork.
“So,next week, I have an anatomy scan. Brendan is coming with me and thenafterward, we're going out to eat and celebrate. Why don't you guys come?”
Hiseyes narrowed to curious slits. “Like a double date?”
“Yeah,”I said, nodding enthusiastically. “Why not?”
“Because... I don't know ...” He shrugged, quickly flitting his eyes to various spotson the bar. “I mean, isn't that like, a personal thing?”
Smiling,I shrugged in response. “Not really. I think it's something to celebrate withfamily and friends, and isn't that what you are? My friend?”
Droppinghis erratic eyes to the floor, he nodded slowly. “Yeah. I am. But I’m notBrendan’s friend,” he reminded me, cautiously lifting his eyes to mine.
“But,” I said hesitantly, “maybe you could be.”
Gooseswallowed and shrugged. “Yeah, sure,” he said gruffly. “Maybe.”
“See?I want you guys there. And hopefully, we can breathe some new life into ourrelationships.”
Chuckling,low and gruff, he nodded. “I guess it doesn’t hurt to try,” he replied in avoice that suggested it might, in fact, hurt quite a bit if we didn’t succeed.
Chapter Fifteen
“Howlong do you think this isgonnatake?”
Brendanpractically threw his head back against the wall, before lifting his arm todramatically check his watch for the fifth time in the past ten minutes. Hesighed as if we'd been waiting a few years short of a century.
“Relax,”I scolded, grabbing hishandand pulling it into mylap. “It's only been a half hour.”
“Yeah,and the reservation at the restaurant is an hour from now. They’re not going tohold it if we’re late.”
“Ifwe have to be a few minutes late, I’m sure it’s not a big deal.”
Heturned his head to gawk incredulously at me. “And leave these people hanging?You invited them!” he hissed.
“Oh,my God. It's just Goose and his girlfriend.”
“Idon't care who they are. You don't leave your guests waiting like that!”
“You'reacting like we're having dinner with the Queen of England.”
